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Roman names: 200+ ancient Roman male and female names, surnames and meanings

212 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest

Roman names are the Latin names used in ancient Rome, like Marcus (of Mars), Aurelia (golden) and Felix (lucky, happy). In the late Republic, a male citizen's full name usually had three parts: a personal praenomen, then a nomen and a cognomen that worked as Roman surnames.

The praenomen was the personal first name, chosen from a small pool. The nomen was the family or clan name (gens), inherited like a surname. The cognomen began as a nickname and later marked a branch of the family, so Gaius Julius Caesar was Gaius of the Julian clan, Caesar branch. Women usually used the feminine form of the family nomen, such as Julia or Tullia. Below are 200+ real Roman names with their meanings: male first names, number names, Roman surnames, female names, cognomina, virtue names, emperor names, gods, and Greek and Roman mythology names. Where a meaning is uncertain, as for Julius, Titus and Gaius, the note says so.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Tertia

    Third; Latin. Used for a third daughter

  • Germanicus

    Of Germania; Latin. Victory title of a famous general

  • Florianus

    Flower; Latin. Ruled briefly in AD 276

  • Paulina

    Small; Latin. Feminine of Paulinus, from Paulus

  • Lucilius

    From Lucius, light; Latin. Clan of the poet who invented Roman satire

  • Florus

    Flower; Latin. Roman historian and poet

Roman name builder

Build a Roman name the way Romans did: a first name from the small pool in real use, a clan name and a cognomen, with the form an inscription would carry. Switch to a daughter, an adopted son or a freed slave to see how the name changes.

Marcus Valerius Corvinus

On an inscription: M. Valerius M. f. Corvinus (f. is filius or filia, son or daughter of)

  • Marcus: Of Mars; Latin
  • Valerius: To be strong; Latin
  • Corvinus: Of the raven; Latin
Want endless ideas? Try the baby name generator and generate new names in one click.

Roman male names: the praenomina

A praenomen was a man's personal name. Only about eighteen were in general use by the first century BC, so many men shared the same few.

  1. Marcus US #258: Of Mars; Latin. Mark Antony's first name, and Cicero's
  2. Lucius: Light; Latin. The most common praenomen of all
  3. Quintus: Fifth; Latin. First name of the poet Horace
  4. Sextus: Sixth; Latin. Traditionally given to a sixth child
  5. Decimus: Tenth; Latin. Borne by one of Caesar's assassins
  6. Tiberius: Of the Tiber; Latin. Name of the second Roman emperor
  7. Septimus: Seventh; Latin. The gentle warden in Trollope's The Warden
  8. Servius: To preserve; Latin. Name of Rome's legendary sixth king
  9. Publius: Of the people; Latin. First name of the poets Virgil and Ovid
  10. Postumus: Last; Latin. Originally for a last-born son
  11. Nonus: Ninth; Latin. The likely first name behind the clan name Nonius

Roman number names

Some Roman names simply counted. Daughters were often given numbered names to tell sisters apart.

  1. Primus: First; Latin. Cognomen borne by early martyrs
  2. Prima: First; Latin. Used for a first daughter
  3. Secundus: Second; Latin. Cognomen of Pliny the Elder
  4. Secunda: Second; Latin. Martyred with her sister Rufina
  5. Tertius: Third; Latin. Scribe of Paul's letter, Romans 16
  6. Tertia: Third; Latin. Used for a third daughter
  7. Quarta: Fourth; Latin. One of the commoner women's first names
  8. Quinta: Fifth; Latin. Feminine of the praenomen Quintus
  9. Septima: Seventh; Latin. Feminine form for a seventh child
  10. Octavius: Eighth; Latin. Birth family name of the emperor Augustus
  11. Octavia US #308: Eighth; Latin. Sister of Augustus, wife of Mark Antony
  12. Nona: Ninth; Latin. Roman goddess of pregnancy, one of the Fates
  13. Decima: Tenth; Latin. Feminine form for a tenth child
  14. Maxima: Greatest; Latin. Given to the eldest of several sisters

Roman surnames: the family names (nomina)

The nomen was the clan name, shared by every member of a gens and passed from father to children, like a last name today.

  1. Aurelius US #991: Golden; Latin. Clan name borne by a philosopher emperor
  2. Aemilius: Rival; Latin. Old patrician clan. Say eye-MIL-ee-us
  3. Valerius: To be strong; Latin. Patrician clan from the early Republic
  4. Flavius: Golden, blond; Latin. Clan of Vespasian, Titus and Domitian
  5. Fabius: Bean; Latin. Clan of the general who wore down Hannibal
  6. Domitius: Tamed; Latin. Clan of the emperor Nero's father
  7. Marcius: Of Mars; Latin. Clan claiming descent from King Ancus
  8. Silvius: Wood, forest; Latin. Legendary kings of Alba Longa
  9. Septimius: Seventh; Latin. Clan of the emperor who founded the Severan line
  10. Salvius: Safe; Latin. Family name of the emperor Otho
  11. Varius: Versatile; Latin. Borne by a poet friend of Virgil
  12. Vitellius: Young calf; Latin. Clan of an emperor of AD 69
  13. Flaminius: Priestly; Latin. Statesman who built a great road north
  14. Hortensius: Possibly garden; Latin. Clan of Cicero's great courtroom rival
  15. Porcius: Pig; Latin. Clan of Cato the Elder and Cato the Younger
  16. Quinctius: From Quintus, fifth; Latin. Clan of the hero Cincinnatus
  17. Sextius: From Sextus, sixth; Latin. Clan of Rome's first plebeian consul
  18. Postumius: From Postumus, last-born; Latin. Patrician clan of the early Republic
  19. Lucilius: From Lucius, light; Latin. Clan of the poet who invented Roman satire

Roman female names from family names and cognomina

A Roman daughter usually took the feminine form of her father's nomen, so Cicero's daughter was Tullia and Caesar's was Julia. Others came from cognomina and pet forms, like Marcella and Priscilla.

  1. Aurelia US #290: Golden; Latin. Mother of Julius Caesar
  2. Aemilia: Rival; Latin. Feminine of an old patrician clan name
  3. Valeria US #162: To be strong; Latin. Feminine of an early patrician clan
  4. Flavia: Golden, blond; Latin. Women of the Flavian dynasty
  5. Fabia: Bean; Latin. Feminine of an ancient patrician clan
  6. Domitia: Tamed; Latin. Wife of the emperor Domitian
  7. Marcia: Of Mars; Latin. Feminine of the clan name Marcius
  8. Lucia US #83: Light; Latin. Feminine of Lucius, later a saint's name
  9. Silvia: Wood, forest; Latin. Mother of Romulus and Remus in legend
  10. Sabina: Sabine woman; Latin. Wife of the emperor Hadrian
  11. Lucilla: Little light; Latin. Daughter of Marcus Aurelius
  12. Marcella US #948: Of Mars; Latin. Feminine of the cognomen Marcellus
  13. Priscilla US #544: Ancient; Latin. Little form of Prisca; Acts 18
  14. Paulina US #784: Small; Latin. Feminine of Paulinus, from Paulus
  15. Domitilla: Tamed; Latin. Name of several women in Vespasian's family
  16. Caecilia: Blind; Latin. Feminine of a clan name, and the root of Cecilia
  17. Porcia: Pig; Latin. Cato's daughter, wife of Brutus; Portia in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
  18. Crispina: Curly-haired; Latin. Wife of the emperor Commodus
  19. Severina: Stern; Latin. Empress married to Aurelian, honored on Roman coins
  20. Marciana: Of Mars; Latin. Elder sister of the emperor Trajan

Roman girl names from virtues and nicknames

Latin girl names built on virtues, luck and personal nicknames, many carried on by early saints.

  1. Felicitas: Good luck, fortune; Latin. Martyred with Perpetua in Carthage
  2. Perpetua: Continuous; Latin. Martyr of Carthage, AD 203
  3. Fausta: Auspicious, lucky; Latin. Wife of the emperor Constantine
  4. Clementia: Mercy; Latin. Virtue praised on Roman coins
  5. Constantia: Steadfast; Latin. Half-sister of Constantine the Great
  6. Serena US #325: Calm, tranquil; Latin. Niece of the emperor Theodosius
  7. Prisca: Ancient; Latin. Also called Priscilla in Acts
  8. Augusta: Venerable; Latin. Title given to Roman empresses
  9. Valentina US #35: Strong, healthy; Latin. Feminine of Valentinus
  10. Justina: Just, upright; Latin. Empress, mother of Valentinian II
  11. Pia: Dutiful, devout; Latin. Feminine of Pius
  12. Aurea: Golden; Latin. Name of several early saints
  13. Candida: White; Latin. Shares its root with the word candid
  14. Regina US #395: Queen; Latin. A Christian name since early times
  15. Ursula: Little bear; Latin. Legendary saint of Cologne
  16. Carina: Dear, beloved; Latin. Also Italian for pretty
  17. Rufina: Red-haired; Latin. Martyred with her sister Secunda
  18. Martina: Of Mars; Latin. A patron saint of Rome
  19. Viviana US #331: Alive; Latin. Roman saint also called Bibiana

Roman cognomina (nicknames that stuck)

The cognomen began as a personal nickname, often about looks or character, and later passed down to mark one branch of a family.

  1. Felix US #175: Lucky, happy; Latin. The dictator Sulla added it to his name
  2. Maximus US #276: Greatest; Latin. Cognomen of Fabius, Hannibal's foe
  3. Magnus US #765: Great; Latin. Title of Pompey the Great
  4. Rufus: Red-haired; Latin. Later the nickname of King William II
  5. Severus: Stern; Latin. Cognomen of an African-born emperor
  6. Cato: Wise; Latin. Statesman famed for strict morals
  7. Cicero: Chickpea; Latin. Cognomen of Rome's most famous orator
  8. Scipio: Staff, walking stick; Latin. General who defeated Hannibal at Zama
  9. Brutus: Heavy; Latin. Borne by the Republic's founder and Caesar's assassin
  10. Seneca: Old; Latin. Stoic philosopher and tutor of Nero
  11. Crispus: Curly-haired; Latin. Eldest son of Constantine
  12. Lepidus: Pleasant, charming; Latin. Partner of Antony and Octavian
  13. Celsus: Tall, lofty; Latin. Roman writer on medicine
  14. Pius: Dutiful, devout; Latin. Added to the emperor Antoninus
  15. Priscus: Ancient; Latin. Name of Rome's fifth king, Tarquin
  16. Tacitus: Silent; Latin. Historian of the early emperors
  17. Regulus: Little king; Latin. Consul captured by Carthage
  18. Agricola: Farmer; Latin. Governor of Britain, father-in-law of Tacitus
  19. Paulus: Small, humble; Latin. Victor over Macedon at Pydna
  20. Marcellus: Of Mars; Latin. Little form of Marcus; captor of Syracuse
  21. Atticus US #281: From Attica; Greek. Cicero's friend, who lived in Athens
  22. Ahenobarbus: Bronze beard; Latin. Family line of the emperor Nero
  23. Torquatus: Wearing a neck chain; Latin. Won by a Roman who took a Gaul's torque

Old Roman surnames from looks, jobs and deeds

Many cognomina began as blunt descriptions of one ancestor, then passed down through a branch of the clan as a surname.

  1. Cincinnatus: Curly-haired; Latin. Farmer called from his plow to lead Rome
  2. Barbatus: Bearded; Latin. A Scipio whose stone coffin is in the Vatican
  3. Calvus: Bald; Latin. Orator and poet, a close friend of Catullus
  4. Crassus: Thick, solid; Latin. Richest man in Rome and Caesar's ally
  5. Macer: Lean; Latin. Borne by a historian of the Licinian clan
  6. Dives: Rich, wealthy; Latin. Borne by one branch of the Licinii
  7. Pulcher: Beautiful; Latin, perhaps ironic. Branch of the proud Claudian clan
  8. Caecus: Blind; Latin. Appius Claudius, who built the Appian Way
  9. Pictor: Painter; Latin. Fabius, author of Rome's first history
  10. Buteo: A kind of hawk; Latin. Borne by a branch of the Fabii
  11. Dentatus: Toothed; Latin. Manius Curius, said to be born with teeth
  12. Strabo: Squinting; Latin from Greek. Father of Pompey the Great
  13. Scaevola: Left-handed; Latin. Mucius, who thrust his right hand into fire
  14. Corvinus: Of the raven; Latin. Line of the raven-helped hero Corvus
  15. Messalla: From Messana in Sicily; Latin. Won by a consul in 263 BC
  16. Publicola: One who courts the people; Latin. A founder of the Republic
  17. Varus: Bent, knock-kneed; Latin. General who lost three legions in Germany
  18. Dolabella: Little pickaxe; Latin. Cicero's son-in-law, married to Tullia
  19. Nasica: Nosed; Latin. A branch of the famous Scipio family
  20. Balbus: Stammerer; Latin. Caesar's banker, the first foreign-born consul
  21. Murena: Moray eel or lamprey; Latin. Consul whom Cicero defended in court

Latin virtue names for boys

Roman names that praise a quality, many later borne by saints and popes.

  1. Clemens: Merciful; Latin. Name of an early bishop of Rome
  2. Constans: Constant, steadfast; Latin. Son of Constantine, later emperor
  3. Justus: Just, upright; Latin. Surname of a disciple in Acts 1
  4. Modestus: Moderate, restrained; Latin. Name of several early saints
  5. Faustus: Auspicious, lucky; Latin. Son of the dictator Sulla
  6. Victor US #211: Conqueror; Latin. Name of several saints and three popes
  7. Valens: Strong, healthy; Latin. Emperor killed at Adrianople in 378
  8. Vitalis: Of life; Latin. Name of several early martyrs
  9. Amandus: Lovable; Latin. Saint who preached in Flanders
  10. Benedictus: Blessed; Latin. Latin root of Benedict and Bennett
  11. Honoratus: Esteemed; Latin. Founder of the island abbey of Lérins
  12. Placidus: Calm, gentle; Latin. Disciple of Saint Benedict
  13. Hilarius: Cheerful; Latin. Latin form of Hilary
  14. Fortunatus: Fortunate; Latin. Poet of early Frankish Gaul
  15. Donatus: Given; Latin. Grammarian whose textbook ruled medieval schools
  16. Probus: Upright, honest; Latin. Third-century soldier emperor

Roman names from animals and nature

Cognomina and later Latin names taken from animals, plants and the woods.

  1. Lupus: Wolf; Latin. Cognomen and saint's name
  2. Leo US #19: Lion; Latin. Borne by many popes since the 5th century
  3. Ursus: Bear; Latin. Root of the Swiss name Urs
  4. Aquila: Eagle; Latin. Tentmaker husband of Priscilla, Acts 18
  5. Corvus: Raven; Latin. Consul who, in legend, won a duel with a raven's help
  6. Columba: Dove; Latin. Irish saint who founded Iona
  7. Silvanus: Of the woods; Latin. Roman god of forests
  8. Silvester: Wooded, wild; Latin. Pope in the time of Constantine
  9. Florus: Flower; Latin. Roman historian and poet
  10. Albus: White, bright; Latin. Root of Albinus; Alban comes via the town of Alba
  11. Oliva: Olive; Latin. Second-century saint from Brescia

Famous Roman names with uncertain meanings

Some of the best-known Roman names have no certain meaning. Here they are with the likeliest explanation and the Romans who made them famous.

  1. Julius US #424: Possibly downy-bearded; Latin, from Greek. The clan of Julius Caesar
  2. Julia US #131: Feminine of Julius; Latin. Caesar's daughter, and every woman of the Julian clan
  3. Gaius: Meaning uncertain; Latin. Written C. in inscriptions, as in C. Julius Caesar
  4. Titus US #358: Meaning unknown, probably Oscan; Latin. The emperor who opened the Colosseum
  5. Claudius: Possibly lame; Latin. The emperor who invaded Britain in AD 43
  6. Claudia: Feminine of Claudius; Latin. Women of the patrician Claudian clan
  7. Cassius US #583: Possibly empty, vain; Latin. A leader of the plot against Caesar; Muhammad Ali's birth name
  8. Cornelius: Possibly horn; Latin. The great clan of the Scipios
  9. Cornelia: Feminine of Cornelius; Latin. Mother of the reforming Gracchi brothers
  10. Antonia: Meaning unknown, from an Etruscan clan name; Latin. Mark Antony's daughter, mother of the emperor Claudius

Roman emperor names

Names and titles of Roman emperors and generals, in their Latin form.

  1. Augustus US #407: Venerable; Latin. Title of the first emperor, Octavian
  2. Hadrianus: From Hadria; Latin. Emperor who built the wall in Britain
  3. Constantinus: Constant, steadfast; Latin. First Christian emperor
  4. Aurelianus: Golden; Latin. Emperor who walled the city of Rome
  5. Valentinianus: Strong, healthy; Latin. Name of three emperors
  6. Maximianus: Greatest; Latin. Co-emperor with Diocletian
  7. Gratianus: Grateful; Latin. Western emperor of the 4th century
  8. Valerianus: To be strong; Latin. Emperor captured by the Persians
  9. Florianus: Flower; Latin. Ruled briefly in AD 276
  10. Jovianus: Of Jupiter; Latin. Emperor after Julian in 363
  11. Domitianus: Tamed; Latin. Last of the Flavian emperors
  12. Nerva: Strength, power; Latin. First of the Five Good Emperors
  13. Pertinax: Persistent; Latin. Emperor for three months in 193
  14. Germanicus: Of Germania; Latin. Victory title of a famous general
  15. Africanus: Of Africa; Latin. Title won by Scipio

Roman god and goddess names

Roman deities whose names are plain Latin words, with clear meanings.

  1. Aurora US #15: Dawn; Latin. Goddess who brings each new day
  2. Luna US #27: Moon; Latin. Goddess linked with Diana
  3. Flora US #607: Flower; Latin. Goddess of spring blossoms
  4. Fortuna: Luck, fortune; Latin. Goddess of chance
  5. Victoria US #54: Victory; Latin. Winged goddess of triumph
  6. Concordia: Harmony; Latin. Goddess of agreement, with a temple in the Forum
  7. Pax: Peace; Latin. Goddess honored by Augustus' Altar of Peace
  8. Spes: Hope; Latin. Goddess with a temple in the Forum Holitorium
  9. Fides: Faith, trust; Latin. Goddess of good faith and oaths
  10. Janus: Archway; Latin. Two-faced god of doors; gave us January
  11. Pomona: Fruit tree; Latin. Goddess of orchards
  12. Sol US #722: Sun; Latin. Unconquered sun god of the later empire
  13. Terra: Earth; Latin. Goddess also called Tellus
  14. Libertas: Freedom; Latin. Goddess shown with a freed slave's cap

Greek and Roman mythology names

Roman gods, spirits and heroes with the Greek figures the Romans matched them with. Each meaning is the plain Latin or Greek word.

  1. Jove: Sky; Latin, the short form of Jupiter, sky father. The Greek Zeus
  2. Caelus: Sky, heavens; Latin. Roman sky god, the Greek Ouranos
  3. Somnus: Sleep; Latin. God of sleep, the Greek Hypnos
  4. Juventas: Youth; Latin. Goddess of youth, the Greek Hebe
  5. Liber: The free one; Latin. Wine god matched with the Greek Dionysus
  6. Libera: Free; Latin. Fertility goddess matched with the Greek Persephone
  7. Lucina: Grove, later read as light; Latin. Goddess of childbirth, the Greek Eileithyia
  8. Salus: Safety, health; Latin. Goddess of well-being, the Greek Hygieia
  9. Virtus: Courage, valor; Latin. Matched with the Greek Arete
  10. Fama: Rumor, fame; Latin. Many-tongued goddess, the Greek Pheme
  11. Discordia: Discord; Latin. Goddess of strife, the Greek Eris
  12. Matuta: Of the early morning; Latin. Dawn mother, linked with Leucothea
  13. Portunus: From portus, harbor; Latin. God of ports and keys, the Greek Palaemon
  14. Vertumnus: From vertere, to turn; Latin. Shape-shifting god who won Pomona
  15. Picus: Woodpecker; Latin. A king whom Circe turned into a woodpecker
  16. Carmenta: From carmen, song or prophecy; Latin. Prophetess mother of Evander
  17. Aeneas: Praise; Greek. Trojan hero of Virgil's Aeneid, ancestor of Romulus
  18. Latinus: Of Latium; Latin. King of the Latins in the Aeneid
  19. Pietas: Duty, devotion; Latin. Goddess of the virtue Aeneas embodied

How to pick the right name

Decide how Latin you want it

Some names work as-is today (Felix, Aurelia, Atticus, Octavia). Others, like Publius or Ahenobarbus, are better for history fans, novels and games.

Build a full Roman name

For a character, combine a praenomen, a nomen and a cognomen: Lucius Valerius Felix. For a woman, use the feminine nomen alone or add a cognomen: Valeria Prisca.

Check the meaning out loud

Many cognomina were blunt nicknames. Cicero means chickpea and Brutus means heavy, so read the meaning before you commit.

Try the modern form

Most Roman names live on in modern languages: Aemilius became Emil and Emily, Hadrianus became Adrian and Laurentius became Lawrence.

Roman names: 212 ideas from Nomezo

Save this list for later

Pin it to a naming board, or tap the heart next to any name to keep it in your favorites on this device.

Roman names: how the three names worked, what women were called, and which are back

By The Nomezo Editors · Updated October 25, 2026 · How we research names

Romans had remarkably few first names. By the first century BC only about eighteen praenomina were in general use, and Lucius, Gaius and Marcus alone could account for half of all men. What told a man apart was his clan name and his cognomen, often a blunt nickname: Cicero means chickpea.

The builder above puts a name together the Roman way, with the form an inscription would carry. Below are the rules it follows, the Roman gods and their Greek twins, and the Roman names Americans use today.

  1. Step 1Pick a common first nameLucius, Gaius and Marcus were everywhere.
  2. Step 2Add a clan and a cognomenMarcus Tullius Cicero: Marcus, of the Tullii, the Cicero branch.
  3. Step 3Check the nicknameBrutus is heavy, Balbus a stammerer, Porcius a pig.
  4. Step 4Name the women rightDaughters took the clan name: Julia, Tullia, Cornelia.

How a Roman name worked

  • Three names were a phase. The period when most citizens had exactly three names was relatively brief (Wikipedia).
  • Few first names. About eighteen praenomina were in use by the first century BC, perhaps a dozen of them common. Lucius led, then Gaius and Marcus, and in conservative periods those three could cover as much as half of adult men (Wikipedia).
  • Naming day. A baby was named on the dies lustricus: the eighth day after birth for a girl, the ninth for a boy (Wikipedia).
  • Why C. for Gaius? The abbreviations C. and Cn. for Gaius and Gnaeus were fixed before the letter G existed, so Caesar is C. Iulius Caesar on inscriptions (Wikipedia).
The parts of a Roman man's name
PartWhat it wasMarcus Tullius Cicero
PraenomenPersonal name, from a small poolMarcus
NomenClan (gens) name, inheritedTullius
CognomenFamily branch, often a nicknameCicero, chickpea

Sources: Wikipedia, Praenomen; Roman naming conventions.

What Roman women were called

  • By the first century, most Roman women had no first name, or did not use one. A daughter was known by the feminine form of the clan name, so Cicero's daughter was Tullia (Wikipedia).
  • Two sisters were told apart as Maior and Minor, the elder and the younger. With more sisters, the eldest might be Maxima and the others took numbers: Tertia, Quarta.

Two things lists get wrong

  • Number names may not count children. Quintus, Sextus and Decimus are usually read as birth order, but some scholars argue they marked the month of birth (Wikipedia).
  • Many praenomen meanings are folk etymology. Popular meanings for several first names are no more than guesses, and the story that Spurius meant a fatherless son is rejected (Wikipedia). That is why the notes above say "possibly" where they do.

Roman gods and their Greek counterparts

The twelve great Roman gods and the Greek Olympians
RomanGreek
JupiterZeus
JunoHera
MinervaAthena
MarsAres
VenusAphrodite
ApolloApollo
DianaArtemis
MercuryHermes
NeptunePoseidon
VulcanHephaestus
VestaHestia
CeresDemeter

Sources: Wikipedia, Dii Consentes; Twelve Olympians. As US baby names in 2025, Diana ranked No. 244, Apollo No. 445 and Juno No. 1,252.

Roman names Americans use today

Roman names in the US, 2025
GirlsUS rankBoysUS rank
Aurora#15, its highest everLeo#19
Luna#27Roman#42, its highest ever
Valentina#35Felix#175
Lucia#83Marcus#258
Aurelia#290, its highest everMaximus#276
Octavia#308Atticus#281
Camilla#361Titus#358

Source: US Social Security Administration. Aurelius entered the US top 1,000 for the first time in 2025, at No. 991.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How did ancient Roman names work?

A Roman man usually had three names: a praenomen (personal name), a nomen (clan name) and a cognomen (family branch or nickname). Gaius Julius Caesar was Gaius, of the Julian clan, of the Caesar branch.

What were common Roman male names?

Lucius, Gaius and Marcus were the most common male first names (praenomina), followed by Publius and Quintus. Only about eighteen praenomina were in general use by the first century BC.

What were Roman female names?

Roman women usually used the feminine form of their family nomen, such as Julia, Cornelia or Aurelia. Sisters were told apart with words like Maior and Minor, or with numbered names like Tertia.

What were common Roman surnames?

Roman surnames came in two layers: the clan nomen, like Aurelius, Valerius or Fabius, and the branch cognomen, like Cicero, Crassus or Scipio. Many cognomina were nicknames: Cicero means chickpea and Crassus means thick.

Which Roman names are still used today?

Felix, Marcus, Lucia, Aurelia, Octavia, Maximus, Augustus and Atticus are all used today. Many others survive in modern forms, such as Emily from Aemilia and Adrian from Hadrianus.

Did Roman women have first names?

Mostly not by the first century. Women were known by the feminine form of their clan name, like Julia or Cornelia, and sisters were told apart as Maior and Minor or by numbers like Tertia.

What does the C. in C. Julius Caesar stand for?

Gaius. The abbreviation was fixed before the Latin alphabet had a separate letter G, so Gaius is written C. and Gnaeus Cn.

Is Decimus really the tenth child?

Not necessarily. Number names are traditionally read as birth order, but some scholars think they recorded the month a child was born.

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